Pottsville third-baseman Taylor Phillips connects on a pitch during a game against Dardanelle earlier this season. The Lady Apaches will face Nashville in the Class 4A state championship game at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Bogle Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. (THE COURIER / Kevin Hill, file)

POTTSVILLE — Lady Apaches second-year head softball coach Greg Jones had his team rolling through the 4A-4 Conference, and his girls had all the confidence in the world.

They thought they could beat anybody — they felt invincible.

Then, before they went to the 4A-4 District tournament, Jones told them some news that had haunted him since December.

Jones’ mother, Paula “Pudge” Jones, had died.

“She was my world, and after I lost her it drove me, it kept me busy and kept my mind off it [her passing],” Jones said. “I let these girls know about it before we started into district and they fed off it. It makes me feel good. I miss my mom, and to accomplish what we have — going back to a state championship game — it’s so special, especially it being my second time.

“It means a lot to me. For my mom and for our program.”

Not only did diving into coaching help Jones cope with his loss, it also helped his assistant coach: Joe Jones, his father.

“It’s so special for me to have my dad, Joe, here helping me,” Jones said. “He’s my rock. He’s always there to help me and give me advice. A lot of people say he’s the one behind all this, so I’ll give him credit. The girls love him and call him Papa Joe.”

That added confidence propelled the Lady Apaches (31-6) to wins in the 4A-4 District and 4A North Region tournaments, and to a No. 1 seed in the Class 4A state playoffs.

After a first-round bye, Pottsville beat Ashdown handily, 5-0, to reach the semifinals. The Lady Apaches faced conference rival Mena in the semis and found themselves trailing 4-3 in the sixth inning. But a three-run double by Kassidy Simpson propelled Pottsville into the championship round, where it will face South Region No. 1 seed Nashville at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

“Nashville [is] a small-ball team,” Jones said. “Last year, they used three bunts to manufacture two runs. This year, we’ve made some adjustments.”

Jones moved strong-armed Taylor Phillips to third base to battle quick runners, while Hannah Barnett settled in at shortstop. Dardanelle move-in Hope Huffman has been a stopper at second base, and Avery Simpson has held down first.

“I just have some athletic girls that are able to really move on the run,” Jones said. “And Jessie [Van Es] has been throwing so well that the bunts are really coming hard off the bat and we’re able to field it. We preach it and practice it, ‘Don’t let ’em get on base. Make ’em earn it.’ They’ve bought into it and know that gritty, hard-nosed defense is how we’re going to win.”

The Lady Apaches, however, have to get their bats around on some balls if they want to have a chance to beat the Scrapperettes.

“It always comes down to scoring those runs, and we’ve been able to do that,” Jones said. “We scored six in the semifinals, and we’ll take that every time. If we can put up six each game, we’ll feel really good about ourselves. We hope right now we’re peaking at the plate.”